Clamping device.



A. JfSUTCH.

CLAMPING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED FEBJZ, 1913.

1,077,652, Patented N0v.4, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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1 MAM/ 71% UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED J. surcn, or cHioAGo, 'ILLINoIsnssIGNon or ONE-HALF 'ro WILLIAM A. if. sMALE, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CLAMPING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 4, 1913.

Application filed February 12, 1913. Serial No. 747,950.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED J. SUToI-I, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clamping Devices, of which the following is a specifica tion.

My invention relates to improvements in clamping devices and more specifically to automatic clam-ping devices designed for use on drill presses and like machinery. I

The object of my invention is the production 'of a. clamping device of the character mentioned which will be of durable and economical construction, one which may be operated through the medium of compressed fluid, or manually if desired A further object is the production of a clamping device as mentioned which will be eiiicientin use.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

With these objects in view, the invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts, all as Wlll be herelnafter dey Figure 1 is a top plan view of a clampingdevice embodying my invention, the same being shown arranged for use in conjunc tion with the bed of a drill press, Fig- 2 is an enlarged section taken on line w-rc of Fig. 1., Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken on substantially line j1 g of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a section taken on substantially line za of Fig. 3.

The preferred form of construction as illustrated in the drawings, comprises a clamp consisting of superposed clamping members 1 and 2, the relatively stationary clamping member'l being secured upon the upper side of the drill press bed 3 by means of screws or bolts 4 and 5. The relatively movable clamping member 2 is adjust-ably supported above the clamping member 1 by means of a nut 6 which is threaded upon the extended upper end of the screw 4, the periphery of said nut being knurled to facilitate turning. The upper side of the nut 6 is provided with a hemispherical extension 6 which engages a correspondingly formed seat 6 formed in the under side of the jaw 2, the arrangement being such that slight rocking movement of said aw 2 is permitted.

Depression of the jaw member 2 in order to' force thesame into clamping relation with the work which it is desired to hold is eifected by vertically movable pins or rods 7 and 8 upon the screw threaded upper ends of which are threaded nuts 9 adapted to engage with the upper side of said jaw 2. The contacting sides of the nuts 9 are formed the same as the upper side of the nut 6, and the adjacent portions of the upper side of the jaw 2 are provided with correspondingly formed seats, as shown, in order to permit of slight rocking movement of said jaw. The upper end portions of the nuts 9 are squared] preferably instead of being knurled as the nut 6.

The pin or rod 7 projects loosely through the aw member 1 and the tubular extension of bushing 10 formed upon the under side of the bed 3. Carried at the lower end of the member 7 is a piston 11 mounted for operation in a cylinder 12, the upper end of which is secured by screws 13 to a plate 14 which is threaded into the lower end of the portion 10, as clearly shown. in Figs. 2 and 3. A packing 15 cooperates with the lower end of the pin or rod 7 to prevent leakage from the upper end of cylinder 12. A gland 16 cooperates with the packing 15 and a nut 17 threaded 'inthe upper end of the cylinder 12 cooperates withsaid gland for holding the same in operative relation with the pack ing 15. The periphery of the nut 17 is provided with spaced laterally opening slots 18 which may be engaged bv means of a key or other tool inserted through the laterally opening slot 19 for rotating said nut in adjusting the same into engagement with the gland l6.

Communicating with the upper end of cylinder 12 is a compressed air pipe 20 which communicates with any suitable source of compressed fluid supply. Provided in the pipe 20 is a three-way valve 21, the stem 22 of which projects upwardly through the bed 8, a handle 23 being provided at the upper end of said stem for operating said valve. The arrangement is such that, when the handle 23 is at the compression position as designated upon the bed 3, air will be admitted to the cylinder 12 for operation upon the piston 11 in order to force the pin or rod 7 downwardly to its initial position. A reducer 20 is in-. terposed in the pipe 20 in order to throt-j tle-the compressed air admitted to the pipe 20 and prevent the air fed to the cylinder 12 passing thereinto too rapidly or suddenly, slamming being with this provision prevented, A drain cock 2% also communicates with the upper end of the cylinder 12 for use in cleaning the compressionchamber of the cylinder when the device is not- When the compressed air is ex hausted from the cylinder 12, as above'men- V tioned, a helical compression spring 25 arranged in the portion 10 and which engages against the under side ofa collar26 secured 1 to the member 7, will operate to move the member 7 upwardly and hence to releasethe in use.

corresponding end of the jaw 2.

Provided at the lower end of the-pin or rod 7 is a fulcrum member 27 to the outer end of which is pivoted the lower end. of a,

link 28 which is pivotally connected at. its upper end with a lever 29 which is pivoted intermediate its extremities to the lower endof. the screw 4:. A turn buckle 30 is in terpo-sed into the pin 28 for longitudinal adj ustment thereof. The lever 29 is connected by means of alinlr31 with a lever 32 which is corres )ondin 'l mounted at the lowerend of the screw 5, the lever 32 being connected by means of alink 33' with the lower end of the pin 8. An operative connection is thus established between the pin Sand the piston 11, and so that in movement of said piston, the members 7 taneously moved, and so that if desired both ends ofthe clamping member or either end thereof may be utilized for clamping purposes. Ordinarily, however, but one end of the clamp is utilized, the nut 9 otthe end which is not utilized, being in this case positioned at the upper end of the pin upon whichthe same is threaded, out of engagement. with the clamping member 2.

WVith the arrangement disclosed it will be seen that the jaw member. 2 may beadjusted through manipulation of the nuts 6 and 9 to adapt the clamp for engagement of work of any thickness within a limited range. The ends of the clamping members 1 and 2 are bifurcated to permit of the passage of the drill in the drilling operation and the upper side of the jaw 1 is preferably recessed as at 34 for the reception of cylindrical articles which it is desired to clamp.

The pins 7 and 8 are provided'with shouland" 8 will be simulders 35 and 35 adapted for engagement respectively against the under side of the plate 14 and the bed 3 to serve as stops to limit the upward movement of said pin in order that the'clamp may be utilized without compressed air if desired. In the latter case the nuts 9 will be engaged by a wrench in order to turn the same to force the clamping jaw 2 into clamping relation with the work. With the construction set forth then, it will beseen that the device is adapted for operation with compressed air, when the lattermay be had, and when not available, the clamp may be manually operated.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into efiect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, thereto-re,'do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myselfof such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a bed; a relatively movable jaw mounted above said bed for cooperation therewith; operating means; and an operative connection between said operating'means andthe respective ends of said movable jaw for moving either one or both ofsaid ends of said jaw into and for holding, the same in clamping position, substantially as described.

In a device of. the-class described, the combination with a bed; a relatively movable jaw mounted above said bed for cooperation therewith; operating means; a direct connection bet\veensaid operating means and one end of said movable jaw; and a series oflovers operatively connected with each other and connecting said, operating means with the-other end of said movable jaw whereby said ends of said movable aw may be moved into and retained in clamping position, substantially as described.

3. In a device of the class described; the combination with a bed; a relatively movable jaw mounted above said bed for co operation therewith; means engaging said movable jaw intermediate its extremities for supporting said movable jaw adjustably above said bed; means engaging the respective ends of said movable jaw for moving the same into clampingeposit-ion; and means cooperating with said last mentioned means for operatively moving the respective ends of said movable jaw, substantially asdescribed;

4; In a device of the class described, the combination with a bed;,a. relatively movable jaw mounted above said bed for cooperation therewith; a vertically disposed guide pin arising fromsaid stationary jaw and passing loosely through said movab-le jaw intermediate the ends thereof; a, nut threaded upon said guide pin for adjust-ably holding said movable jaw; a pair of movable pins passing through the respective ends of said vertically movable jaw; stops arranged for vertical adjustment upon said last mentioned pins for engagement withthe respective ends of said movable jaw to move the same downwardly when said pins are lowered and meansv for simultaneously moving said movable pins downwardly, substantially as described.

5. In a device of the class described the combination with a bed; a relatively stationary jaw arranged thereon; a relativelymovable jaw mounted for cooperation with said stationary jaw; a compressed air cylinder; a piston mounted for operation in said cylinder; and an operative connection between said piston and. the respective ends of said movable jaw for moving either one or both of said ends of said jaw into and for holding the same in clamping relation with said stationary jaw, substantially as described.

6. In a device ofthe class described the combination with a bed; a relatively stationary jaw arranged thereon; arelatively movable jaw mounted for cooperation with said stationary jaw; a compressed air cylinder; a piston mounted for operation in said cylinder; a direct connection between said piston and one end of said movable aw; and a series of levers operatively connected with each other and connecting said piston with the other end of said movable jaw whereby said ends of said movable jaw may be moved into and retained in clamping relation with said stationary jaw, substantially as described.

7. In a device of the class described the combination with a bed; a relatively sta tionary jaw arranged thereon; a relatively movable jaw mounted for cooperation with said stationary jaw; a compressed air cylinder; a piston mounted for operation in said cylinder; a direct connection between said piston and one end of said movable jaw; a series of levers operatively connected with each other and connecting said piston with the other end of said movable jaw whereby said ends of said movable aw may be moved into and retained in clamping relation with said stationary jaw, said piston, when compressed air is admitted to said cylinder being adapted to move said movable jaw clownwardly; and resilient means for normally moving said piston to release said movable jaw, substantially as described.

8. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a bed; a relatively sta-' tionary jaw arranged thereon; a relatively movable jaw mounted for cooperation with said stationary jaw; means engaging said movable aw intermediate its extremities for supporting said movable jaw adjustably over said stationary jaw; means engaging the respective ends of said movable jaw for moving the same into clamping relation with said stationary jaw; and compressed air operable means cooperating with said last mentioned means for operatively moving the respective ends of said movable jaw, substantially as described.

9. Ina device of the class described, the combination with a bed; a relatively stationary aw arranged thereon; a relatively movable jaw mounted for cooperation with said stationary jaw; a vertically adjustable nut engaging said movable jaw intermediate its extremities for supporting said movable jaw adjustably over said stationary jaw; means engaging the respective ends of said movable jaw for moving the same into clamping relation with said stationary jaw; and compressed air operable means cooperating with said last mentioned means for operatively moving the respective ends of said movable jaw, substantially as described.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination with a bed; a relatively stationary jaw arranged thereon; a relatively movable jaw mounted for cooperation with said stationary jaw; means engaging said movable jaw intermediate its extremities for supporting said movable jaw adjustably over said stationary jaw; vertically movable members; stops mounted for vertical adjustment upon said last mentioned members for engagement with the respective ends of said movable jaw for moving the same into clamping relation with said stationary aw; and compressed air operable means cooperating with said vertically movable members for operatively moving the respective ends of said movable jaw, substantially as described.

ll. In a device of the class described, the combination with a bed; a relatively stationary jaw arranged thereon; a relatively movable jaw mounted for cooperation with said stationary jaw; means engaging said movable jaw intermediate its extremities for supporting said movable jaw adjustably over said stationary jaw; vertically movable members; stops threaded for vertical adjustment upon said last mentioned members, said stops being adapted for engagement with the respective ends of said movable jaw for moving the same into clamping relation with said stationary jaw when said vertically movable members are moved clownwardly; and compressed air operable means adapted to move said vertically movable members downwardly, substantially as described.

12. In a device of the class described, the

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combination-with a bed-3?arelatively'station ary jaw arranged thereonga relatively mov able jaw arranged over saidstationary jaw for cooperation therewith-yavertically dis posed guide pin arising from said" stationary jaw and passing" loosely through said moi able jaw intermediate the ends thereof; a nut threaded upon said guide pinfor adjustably supporting said movable jaw; a pair of vertically movable' pins passing through the respective ends of said ver tically movable jaw; stops arranged for vertical adjustment upon said last mentioned pins for engagement with the'respectiveends of said movable jaw to move thesa'me downwardly when said pins are lowered; and compressed air operable means for" simultaneously moving said vertically movable pins downwardly, substantially as deser'ibed'.

13. In a device of the class-described, the combination with a'bed a relatively stationary j awarranged thereon; a relatively movable jaw arranged over said stationary jaw for cooperation therewith;- a vertically disposed: guide pin arising: fromsaid stationary jaw and passing loosely" throughsaid movable jaw intermediate the ends thereof; a nut threaded upon said: guide pin for adjustably supporting said movable jaw a pair of vertically" movable pins passing through the respectiveends of said vertically movable aw nuts threaded upon said vertically movable pins for engagement with the upper sides of the respective ends of said movable jaw for movingzsaid ends of said faw' downwardly when said pins are cor amass;

respondingly movedcompressed air operable means for moving said vertically mova'ble pins downwardly; and resilient means for normally holding said vertically movable pins at their upper terminals of movement. substantially as described;

14. Ina device'of the class described, the

, combinationwith a bed; a relatively stationary jaw arranged thereon; a relatively movablejaw arrangedover said stationary jaw for cooperation therewith; avertically disposed guide pin arising from said station ary jaw and passing loosely through said movable jaw intermediate the ends thereof; a nut threaded upon said guide pin for ad justably' supporting said movable jaw; a pair of vertically movable pins passing throughthe respective ends of said vertically movable jaw; stops arranged for vertical adjustment upon said last mentioned pins for engagement witlrthe respective ends of said movable jaw to move the same downwardly when said pins are lowered; compressed air operablemeans for simultaneously moving said vertically movable pin's' downwardly; and means for limiting the upward movement of said vertically movable pins, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to'this specification in the'presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALFRED J. SUTCH.

VVitnesses:

ROB'T. lViL'KIE, F. J'. ROBERTS.

c'o msor this patent'fifiay be easier brave-cents each} 153; addressin the Commissioner of Patents; Washington, 15;- 01" 

